Game Week 8 Predictions: Spurs and West Ham to both score

Preview of Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Ham London derby, analyzing team form, key players, injury updates, and tactical battles. Expect goals from both

Brennan Johnson would hope to continue his good run when West Ham visits Tottenham Stadium, who will win the spoils? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Ham

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

12:30

Separated by just two points and three places on the log, Tottenham Hotspur and West have similar reasons to fight hard in this fixture for three points that would help their respective positions.

Tottenham has failed to impress this season, and despite their manager's promise of silverware at the end of the season, the signs are bleak. However, he could string together good results in cup games, as the league seems tough to achieve.

For West Ham, they bought many players in the summer, but their reinforcements have failed to impress, as the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Michael Antonio, and Mohammed Kudus, who were in the team last season, are still the ones doing the bulk of the job this season.

It’s a London derby, one that typically swings by mood regardless of form and pedigree; Spurs would understand that home advantage means nothing, and the Hammers would understand that a loss could get them into further trouble on the log.

How will they line up? Both managers welcomed players back from the international break with minimal injuries to worry about; Heung Min Son and Richarlison are both fit and available to start, which gives Tottenham a fresh dimension upfront.

Nicklas Fullkgrug is the only unavailable player in the West Ham side; this Achilles tendon continues to struggle, but he is back in training, while Wilson Odobert is not expected to feature for the home side until the end of the next international break.

The Hammers are expected to file out with Jean-Clair Todibo partnering Max Kilman in defense, but the real question would be asked in midfield, where Julien Lopetegui continues to experiment with Guido Rodriguez; it isn’t working, and he just might restore Thomas Soucek.

For Spurs, having to play four or five attack-minded players has affected the midfield balance for Postecoglou; shunting James Maddison, Heung Min Son, Dejan Kulusevski, and Pape Mata Sarr into the same midfield typically exposes the back four, leaving Micky Van De Ven running miles for his life.

Brennan Johnson is on a monstrous run, scoring in every game since early September; will he continue the run on Saturday? Will there be a place for the Brazilian forward in the starting line-up, or will Dominic Solanke start up front?

Verdict: Both teams will score.